Blue Jays: Last offseason interests and how they are doing so far this year

Jose Ramirez

Signed a five-year extension with the Cleveland Guardians worth $124 million

One of the top infielders over the past few seasons, the small market Cleveland Guardians were gauging trade interest on their top player Jose Ramirez for most of the offseason. Right from the get-go, the Toronto Blue Jays were interested, as adding the switch-hitting third baseman would create one of the deadliest lineups in all of Major League Baseball.

This goes back all the way to the 2021 trade deadline, where a deal was lined up for Ramirez to come to Toronto but the Jays front office decided to look elsewhere due to the high price tag. The rumours were so wild that even after the Matt Chapman trade there were reports the Jays were interested in Ramirez to play second base.

While no trade ever materialized this past offseason with discussions reportedly looking like a combination of Alek Manoah, Gabriel Moreno, and/or Alejandro Kirk would need to be included, the Guardians pulled a 180 and got Ramirez to sign a long-term extension with the club, effectively ending any trade discussions with Ramirez leaving some money on the table to sign with the only team he has ever known rather than head to free agency in two years time.

Ramirez, as per usual, has been one of the top players in the game, currently sporting a 2.6 fWAR on the year while adding 1.002 OPS with three triples, 11 home runs, and 43 RBI, which currently leads all of the MLB. He has also walked more than he has struck out (23 vs. 14) and a .980 fielding percentage at third base this season, committing only two errors so far.